Educational and amusement appliances



ec. 24, 1935. v G MCCULLY 2,025,295

EDUCATIONAL'AND AMUSEMENT APPLIANCES Filed July 14, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet1 Dec. 24, 1935. v G, MCCULLY EDUCATIONAL AND AMUSEMENT APPLIANCES FiledJuly 14, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2` INVENTOR @f/YA @1x3/fie lil PatentedDec. 24, 1935 UNITED STATES EDUCATIONAL AND AMU SEMEN T APPLIANCES VernaGrisier McCully, New York, N. Y. Application July 14, 1934, Serial No.735,123

6 Claims. (Cl. 46-157) This invention relates generally to educationaland amusement appliances or devices and is more particularly directed toa method and means of producing replicas of animate and inanimate guresand objects, by utilizing appropriately shaped patterns or forms ofparts of the yligure or object to be reproduced and eiecting theirjointure, whereby certain elements or components of the completeassembly may be adjusted relatively to others thereof, for permitting ofthe simulation of movements of which the corresponding parts of theiigure or object reproduced may be capable, or for presenting the gureor object in various postures or positions.

As is well known, there yare many types of socalled jointed dolls andanimals which are assembled from patterns produced by printing, orotherwise, upon a sheet of paper or cardboard, the several patternsconstituting a doll or animal being cut from the blank and put togetherin their proper relationship. In these earlier conceptions, theconnection of the movable parts to the supporting pieces of the assemblyhas been effected in a variety of ways, usually b y metal eyelets orrivets, or by short lengths of cord or elastic knotted in engagementwith the associated parts. However, it has long been recognized thatthese connecting media not only detract from the appearance of thecomplete assembly, but are difcult of application, especially by .thechild user, for whom articles of the kind `are primarily designed.Numerous unsuccessful attempts have been made to overcome thedifliculties vin the attachment of the movable parts and to impart tothe figures or objects a more realistic aspect, as, for example, byproviding such partswith integral peripheral projections of an annularoutline, which are designed to be inserted in .circular holes of smaller.diameter in the sections from which the movable parts are supported.'I'hese failures may be attributed, largely, to the fact that, in manyinstances, as with the peripheral projections just referred to, theassembly .of the parts is really rendered more diliicult, because of thecare that must be exercised in entering the projections through theholes of lesser .diameter and `in subsequently conditioning thejointures to function as contemplated. Further, this type of jointuredoes not give the gure the requisite stability and, obviously, fails toadequately respond to the demand for greater realism in appearance, evenin those vassemblies Where the movable parts have been most carefullyconnected to their supports.

Therefore, it is the primary object of this invention to provide ameth-od and means of producing articulated iigures and objects, ofvarious kinds, wherein the objectionable characteristics of existingdevices, ,as hereinbefore pointed out, will be eliminated, in anentirely simple and practical manner.

More speciiically, the object of this invention is to provide a methodand means `of improving the appearance of assembled iigures and objects,produced from patterns or forms of any suitable ma- 10 terial, byeffecting the jointure of the movable members thereof, With those partsfrom Which they are designed to be supported, in a manner whereby theinterlocking media will be completely concealed and such members willappear to merge into the supporting portions, similarly to thecomplemental members of the iigure or object of which the assembly is areplica.

It `is .a further object of my invention to simplify the method ofproducing iig-ures and objects .embodying relatively movable parts, byutilizing integral media, for effecting the interconnection of suchparts, which may be readily manipulated into their functioning positionsand which Will maintain the parts in their original assembledassociation fora predetermined range of relative movement, to a degreeof permanency that it has not been possible to heretofore attain,thereby materially adding to the effective durability Vof the gures .orobjects produced.

Another object is .to provide for the production of jointed gures .andthe like, from flat stock .or material, which, in addition to embodyingthe aforesaid characteristics and advantages of this invention, will bemore stable than existing devices, this extremely desirable end beingattained by the employment of spacing surfaces which contribute to thereinforcement of the structure as a, whole and also insure completefreedom lof movement of the -articulated parts, by eliminating thepossibility of jamming or binding of oppositely placed connections.

Other objects and advantages owing from the practicing of my invention,Will doubtless present themselves as the description proceeds, and I i5would have it `clearly understood that I reserve unto myself all rightsto the full range .of equivalents, both in structure and in avenues ofuse, to which I may be entitled under my invention in its broadestaspect,

For the purposes of this disclosure, I have elected to illustrate anddescribe certain preferred embodiments of my invention, as it may befollowed in producing articulated figures or objects from assembledpatterns cut from a blank of suitable material upon which vthey may beoutlined, asin the standard types of so-called cutout toys and designs.This is merely illustrative, however, and is not to be construed, in anysense, as a limitation of the scope of my invention, which, as willbecome manifest, is susceptible of taking other forms and of beingotherwise practically utilized within the purview of the appendedclaims.'

In the drawings: Y

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the representation of a fox, produced inconformity with my invention.

Figure 2 is a view in elevation of the right body section, with attachedright fore and hind legs of the ligure of the fox, the body sectionbeing broken away to disclose the mode of interconnecting the legstherewith. I

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the leftrbody and head sections of theassembly of Figure 1, with their complemental spacers associatedtherewith, the body being partly broken away to show the tailconnection.

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the tail con-V nection shown in Figures1 and 3.

Figures 5 and 6 are respectively views in elevation of `the right headsection and the head spacing surface or reinforcement,V as embodied inthe assembly of Figure 1. Y

Figure 7 is a transverse section on the line '|-1 of VFigure 1. Y

Figure 8 is a longitudinal section on the line 87- 8 of Figure 1. Y

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the representation of a calf produced bya modified form of structure, Y

Figure 10 is a sectional View taken on the line IIJ-I0 of Figure 9.

Figures 11 and 12 are respectively views of the side-forming sections ofthe head and the spacer designed to be associated therewith, the lattercarrying the tongue of the animal depicted in Figure 9.

Figure 13 is an elevation of a leg composed of two integral sections,superposed one upon the other by a fold, as in the formation of the headof Figure 11.

Figure 14 is a top plan view of the leg of Figure 13. Y

Figure 15 shows the manner in which my invention may be practiced informing the body of a bird or chicken, the two sides being integral.

Figures 16 and 17 are plan views of pieces adapted for producing thewing of a bird, wherein the wing components will be capable of relativemovement when connected to the body, and

Figure 18 is illustrative of the mode of assembly of the wing Y sectionsto a, body, such as shown in Figure 15.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, in which like charactersof'reference are employed to designate similar parts in the severalviews, and more particularly to the structure of Figures lto 8,inclusive, 20 indicates the right body section of an appropriateoutline, which may be slotted in juxtaposition to its periphery, as at2|, and provided with a series of annular openings 22 and 23, adjacentthe front and rear ends thereof, to receive the means whereby the rightfore and hind legs 24 and 25 are attached thereto, as hereinafterdescribed.

The fastening means for each leg comprises a pair of integral elongatedtabs or prong-like shaped extensions 26 and 21, projecting fromVoppostely located points on the upper peripherall portion'thereof, whichare designed to be folded upon themselves in reverse directions, forfunctioning in connecting the leg to the body section for relativerotative movement. This is preferably accomplished by initially foldingeach tab 5 tab, the surfaces defining the folds 2Gb and 2lb l0 of therespective tabs being in juxtaposition to each other, so that the tabportions 26e and 21o thereof, beyond the latter folds, may be poised inassociation, at an angle of approximately to the leg surface for entryin and passage l5 through the appropriate receiving openings 22 or 23,as the case may be, in the body section,

kto be subsequently disposed parallel to and in contact with the innersurface of said section,

the leg, obviously, abutting upon the outer sur- 2G face of the bodysection.

As will be observed, when the leg is mounted, as just described, thetab-receiving orifice 22 or 23, in the body section functions as abearing surface for the edges of the tabs or extensions, 25

the width of the bearing-traversing portionsthereof, correspondingapproximatelyv to the diameter of the bearing. This insures continuouscontact of the coaoting bearing surfaces,

throughout the range of movement of which 3G the leg is capable andeliminates lost motion between the parts; the inherent resiliency of thematerial from which the leg pattern with its integral tabs or extensionsis cut, contributing to the attainment of this highly desirable and 35important objective of my invention.

Similarly to the right body section, the left body section 28 isapertured, as at 28a, for the reception of the fastening media of theleft fore and hind legs, the latter section being provided'40 withperipheral extensions or tabs 29 which are adapted to be folded inwardlyon the line 29a., and entered in the slots 2| of the right body section20, from the outer side thereof, in the assembly of the patterns, ashereinafter set 45 forth. Each of the two body sections is also providedwith an opening 30, suitably placed for the reception of the tabs 3| and32 of the right and lefthead pieces or patterns 33 and 34, re-

spectively, which correspond generally, in shape 50 and in theirapplication and mode of functioning to the leg attaching tabs 26 and 21,as heretofore described.

The right and left head pieces are adapted to be interconnected by thetabs 35, integral with 55 the left head piece, formed for entering inthe receiving slits 36 of the opposite head piece, as in theinterlocking of the two body sections, the head pieces beingrespectively apertured, as at 31, for the connection of the ears 38thereto for 60 relative movement, the latter members embodying tabs 39,40, which are folded similarly to the leg retaining tabs and function ina corresponding manner.

`v To prevent the oppositely positioned leg and 65 ear tabs from tearingor becoming distorted or otherwise damaged in the rotative movement ofthe members which they support, due to jamming or interlocking, onewiththe other, I may employguards or spacing elements 4| and 42, 70

one for the body and one for the head. Each of these elements iscomplemental to the sections with which it is designed to be associatedand is adapted to be interposed therebetween, the section 4| having anopening 43 for the reception of the integral tabs 44-45 of the tailpiece46. These tabs 44-45, preferably, merge, taking a V-form, and inmounting the tail are compressed or rolled toward each other tofacilitate their passage through the opening 43, whereupon they may beexpanded into flat contact with the contiguous surface of the bodysection, the neck portion 46a from which the tabs diverge, being sizedrelatively to the diameter of the aperture 43 to maintain continuouscontact between the interconnected surfaces of the tail and its support,as in the leg jointures.

As will be manifest, these guards or spacing elements also function asreinforcements for the body and head portions of the figure andmaterially add to the stability of the mountings of the movable memberscarried thereby, in addition to imparting to the figure a more realisticappearance than it is possible to obtain where the jointure of theappendage to the body is unconcealed, or is accomplished by some form ofconnection partly or wholly external of the body.

In the assembly of the cut patterns, the fore and hind legs are joinedto the respective body sections, as described, following which the headsections, with which the appropriate ears have been previouslyassociated, are hinged thereto. 'I'he body spacer or guard 4|, to whichthe tail 46 has been connected, and the head element 42 are then locatedbetween the complemental outer body and head sections and the lattertied together by engaging the peripheral tabs or projections 29-35 ofthe left body and head sections with the slots 2|-36 of the right bodyand head sections, in the manner which is clearly evident from Figures 1and 7. Of course, the number of tabs and receiving slots may be variedto meet production-or other requirements, and they may be locatedotherwisethan shown; also the tabs may be integral-with the right bodyand head sections, or the individual sections may be provided withalternately arranged tabs and slots, the tabs folding in oppositedirections affording greater security in the connection of the matablepatterns. The tail 46, as shown, is composed of two similar pieces,retained in mated relation by the interconnection of the tabs and slots4Gb, 46c. Each of these tail pieces may embody the heretofore describedtabs 44-45 or they may be omitted from one thereof, the pieceterminating within the zone of the tail-attaching tabs, as shown indotted line at 46d in Figure 4. Obviously, the tail may comprise asingle pattern, embodying the attaching tabs.

In the assembly illustrated in Figures 9 to 12, inclusive, the right andleft body sections 5ll-5i are integrally joined for folding one upon theother along the line 52 defining the back of the iigure, the sectionsbeing interlocked, following the placement of the spacer 53therebetween, by the cooperating tabs 54 and slots 55, the latter, aswill be noted, being disposed on the line of the periphery of the bodysection 50 by the formation of the peripheral protuberances 56, whichare adapted to be turned or folded inwardly, to lie against the innersurface of the section, as shown in Fig. 10. The complemental headpieces '5l-53, likewise, are integrally joined for folding along theline 59, the parts being interlocked by the entry of the tabs 60 in theslots 6| of the peripheral extensions 6 la, to retain the head insert orspacer 62 therebetween, the latter carrying the representation of atongue 63 comprising two integral parts, folded one upon the other, oneof them embodying tabs KS4- 65. Similarly, the

tail-piece 66, comprises two integral sections, foldable-in the samemanner and held along their free edges in mated relation by the coactingslots and tabs, as at 67. Y

Figure shows the formation of the integral sections of the body of abird, the two pieces (S8-69, matable by a proper fold, being apertured,as at 1U and 1I for the reception of the head and leg-forming patterns,and at 12 for theconnection of the wings thereto, the latter of whichmay i0 comprise one or more parts. Where the wing consists of more thanone piece, one thereof, 13, is provided with integral tabs I4- 15foldable in the manner of the tabs 26-21 of the leg members, for entryin and retention Within the co- 15 operating bearing aperture 12, theremaining sections of which the wing may be constituted, such, forexample, as shown in Figure 16, being apertured, as at 16, for thepassage of the tabs of the wing piece 13 therethrough, prior to their 20connection to the body, it being obvious that the several pieces of thewing assembly are disposed in superposed relation for rotative movementon the axis formed by the tabs 'I4- 15, as will be apparent from Figure18. The folded body sections of the bird figure are held together by theperipheral tabs 11 and cooperating slots 13, which may be produced ineither of the ways heretofore described, or otherwise, the legs (notshown) being appropriately formed and attached to the body sections bysuitable tabs or extensions, as in the other figures shown.

In some instances, in theinterest of greater realism in appearance, andto add to the rigidity of the figure as a whole, the legs may be ofdouble 36 stock, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, each leg being composedof two integrally connected complemental patterns, adapted to be foldedto superpose one upon the other, the pattern forming the outside legembodying the heretofore described 40 5* attaching tabs or extensions26-21. Similarly, the pattern of any other part herein shown anddescribed as of a single thickness of material, may be built up of twoor more integrally or otherwise joined complemental pieces, it beingunderstood that the spacers associated with the head and body sections,or either of them may be omitted, if desired in a specic assembly, orwhere the material employed for producing the patterns precludes thepossibility of the attaching tabs of the movable members on oppositesides of the gure from interlocking or otherwise interfering.

The patterns of the various parts entering into the assembly of afigure, may be delineated on a sheet of paper, cardboard or othermaterial, from which they may be cut, folded and put together, it beingmanifest that a plurality of sheets bound together in book form may beutilized in providing patterns for a single figure or 'for several. 60Of course, the cut patterns may be marketed ready for assembly, or thecomplete figure, as produced by the practicing of my invention may besupplied to the trade. For instance, the several patterns' constitutinga complete ligure 65 may be stamped from metal and the parts assembledby machine or hand operations. Again the use of two unlike materials maybe resorted to in the production of the patterns for a particular gureor representation, the body and head sections, for example, being formedof wood, while the articulated members, withv their integral attachingtabs, may be of metal or other material which will lend itself toattachment to the body for movement as described.

" with the described attaching tabs, are connected,

to the matable torso pieces or the intermediate spacers, as the case maybe, for articulation. If desired, each of the limbs, in suchrepresentations, may be composed of two or more sections, connectable bycooperating tabs and apertures for' relative articulation, therebymaterially adding to the realism of the reproduction and increasing therange of manipulation of the parts.

While I have described my invention more or less specifically, aspracticed in the production of the figures shown, it will be understoodthat in lieu of connecting the head pieces, for instance, `to bothspacers, they may be connected to but one of the latter, irrespective ofwhether the head sections are integrally or otherwise joined. This, ofcourse, also applies to any other parts which have been described asconnected to two pieces, as the tongue or tail'of an animal, forexample, such variations being within the scope of my invention andbeing governed by production or other requirements.

In addition to reproducing animate figures of various kinds and types inminiature, or in full size, if desired, as where my invention might beemployed in educational work, replicas of innumerable objectsY may beproduced for amusement and instructive purposes, by means of appropriatepatterns. As an example, apart from the articulated representations ofthe human figure and those of the lower animals, objects having normallymovable structural elements, as

"i wheeled vehicles, windmills, steam shovels and other machinery ormechanisms may be reproduced, with a degree of fidelity in appearanceand movement that has not, heretofore, been attainable'by the use ofso-called cut-out patterns or `V`designsl YI claim:

1. A means for producing a gure having articulated members, from sheetmaterial, Ycomprising a plurality of patterns adapted to cooperate toYcomplete the figure, certain of said patterns being provided withapertures, and devices for supporting other of said patterns from saidapertured patterns whereby the jointure of the two types of patternswill be concealed, said devices comprising Aoppositely disposedelongated peripheral extensions of the supported patterns formed forentry through said apertures and foldable in opposite directions oneither side of the supporting patterns, the surfaces of said devicesintermediate of their folds coacting with the aperture to form a bearingfor the rotative movement of the supported member. Y

2. A pattern for a memberof a figure adapted to be produced from sheetmaterial, said pattern including attachingl means embodying integralextensions diverging from its periphery and foldable inwardly towardeach other on thesurface of the pattern to provide an axis onwhich thepattern isV rotatable relatively `to another part of the figure and inopposite directions to maintain such axis and prevent lateraldisplacement of said member, said attaching means underlying the patternof which they are a part and being Wholly concealed thereby whenconditioned for functioning.

3. A pattern for a member of an articulated figure adapted to becomposed of a multiplicity of patterns, said pattern includingintegrally formed attaching means diverging from the periphery thereofand engageable within an orifice in another pattern of such figure, theends of said extensions, when engagedwithin said orifice, overlying theinner surface of the orificeembodying pattern to maintain the connectedpatterns in assembled relation, for movement of said extension-carryingpattern on a transverse axis within the orifice-engaging zone of saidextensions, said attaching means and the orice within which they areengaged being completely concealed by the pattern of which saidattaching means are a part.

4. A figure composed of sheet material sections joined by integrallyformed surfaces, certain of said sections being provided with apertures,others embodying peripheral extensions adapted to be folded in oppositedirections intermediate their ends to form surfaces to traverse theapertures in which said extensions are entered, the portions of saidextensions on either side of said surfaces being parallel to therespective figure sections, whereby said surfaces are free to rotatewithin their cooperating apertures and lateral movement of the connectedsections is simultaneously prevented, the outer faces ofthe sectionsembodying said extensionsV completely concealing said extensions and theapertures in the other sections with which they are associated.

Y 5. A pattern for a member adapted to be connected to a supporting partof a figure for articulation, formed from sheet material and embodyingelongated extensions diverging from the periphery thereof, therespective extensions being adapted tobe folded at their point ofjuncture with the periphery for Vdisposition in converging relationshipon the contiguous surface of the pattern, and again intermediate of thefirst fold and the Ifree end thereof to locate the portions of the twoextensions beyond the said second folds in juxtaposition for entrythrough a receiving aperture in such supporting part, the juxta-- posedportions being subsequently disposable parallel to the surface of thesupport upon which they abut, to function as retainers, the saidextensions when conditioned for functioning, being completely concealedby the overlying and uninterrupted surface of the pattern.

6. A figure composed of kmembers formed of sheet material, certain ofthe members being articulated, comprising members provided withapertures and other membersrconne'ctable thereto for relative rotativemovement, said latter members embodying tabs divergent from theirperipheries, the respective tabs of each connectable member beingadapted to be folded toward each other upon the inner face thereof andsubsequently folded for entry in an aperture of another member, forinterconnecting the two members for. the aforesaid relative rotativemovement, the tabs and apertures being completely concealed by theuninterrupted frontal surface of the articulated member. Y v

VERNA GRISIER MCCULLY.

